Raffle prizes

[Kungfupanda67]

Anyone with any experience in gathering raffle prizes? Need some ideas of some generous companies for our school fete raffle. We usually try and have a top prize worth about £200 - anyone been successful begging for good prizes?!
Tia

Ask parents if they/their employers are able to offer anything. Get some letters printed on headed paper and walk them round the high street shops. Be bold and ask them for specific things, and try and get then there and then. You may bed to leave a letter if "the boss" isn't in, but the letter also acts as your id.
Be aware that shops get approached a lot so get in as early in the year as you can.
Also try out of the way places ad less likely to be targeted.
We've had most success in the past getting tickets to local attractions (and bundling as a "summer holiday days out" package if necessary) as this doesn't "cost" the supplier and the winner will likely still spend money on food/drink/giftshop etc while visiting.

We had great success asking the town council to ask on their fbook page. Some huge donations from local businesses. Ipads etc was our best raffle ever

I remember getting a child's bike from local bike shop.
Ask parents if they can donate things, eg free haircut if they are hairdressers, meal out if they run a restaurant etc.

Local shops and restaurants are often happy to support with either a product or voucher. If you have a list of prizes from last year see if the same places will donate. Take a headed letter including the charity number. You will probably need to return once or twice as they can't always do it on the spot. Supermarkets will often give something too. Write to local attractions and theatres - try to get a contact name if possible. In my experience a physical letter is better than email. Sell it to them that as well as supporting children they are also promoting their business to all the parents.

When i’ve Done this in the past, I have had fairly good success with independent shops as they are keen to advertise themselves.